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EP2340943B1 - Image processing apparatus, billing management system, billing management method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Image processing apparatus, billing management system, billing management method, and recording medium Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2340943B1
EP2340943B1 EP09814213.6A EP09814213A EP2340943B1 EP 2340943 B1 EP2340943 B1 EP 2340943B1 EP 09814213 A EP09814213 A EP 09814213A EP 2340943 B1 EP2340943 B1 EP 2340943B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
charging
job
image processing
processing apparatus
cooperative
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP09814213.6A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2340943A1 (en
EP2340943A4 (en
Inventor
Toshiya Shozaki
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc
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Publication date
Application filed by Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc filed Critical Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc
Publication of EP2340943A1 publication Critical patent/EP2340943A1/en
Publication of EP2340943A4 publication Critical patent/EP2340943A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2340943B1 publication Critical patent/EP2340943B1/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/02—Counting the number of copies; Billing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
    • G03G15/5016—User-machine interface; Display panels; Control console
    • G03G15/502—User-machine interface; Display panels; Control console relating to the structure of the control menu, e.g. pop-up menus, help screens
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
    • G03G15/5075—Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
    • G03G15/5087—Remote control machines, e.g. by a host for receiving image data
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
    • G03G15/5075—Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
    • G03G15/5091—Remote control machines, e.g. by a host for user-identification or authorisation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1239—Restricting the usage of resources, e.g. usage or user levels, credit limit, consumables, special fonts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1273—Print job history, e.g. logging, accounting, tracking
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
    • H04N1/00209—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
    • H04N1/00222—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax details of image data generation or reproduction, e.g. scan-to-email or network printing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/0035—User-machine interface; Control console
    • H04N1/00405—Output means
    • H04N1/00408—Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
    • H04N1/00413—Display of information to the user, e.g. menus using menus, i.e. presenting the user with a plurality of selectable options
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/00025—Machine control, e.g. regulating different parts of the machine
    • G03G2215/00109—Remote control of apparatus, e.g. by a host
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2206/00—Indexing scheme related to dedicated interfaces for computers
    • G06F2206/15—Indexing scheme related to printer interfaces for computers, indexing schema related to group G06F3/12
    • G06F2206/1504—Cost estimation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1222—Increasing security of the print job
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1268—Job submission, e.g. submitting print job order or request not the print data itself
    • G06F3/1271—Job submission at the printing node, e.g. creating a job from a data stored locally or remotely
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0077—Types of the still picture apparatus
    • H04N2201/0094—Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.
  • the present invention particularly relates to an image processing apparatus and a charging management system that are capable of performing accurate charging in the case where the image processing apparatus executes a job cooperatively with an external service providing apparatus, and to a charging management method to be executed by the image processing apparatus and a recording medium having recorded therein a charging management program to be executed by the image processing apparatus.
  • MFP Multi Function Peripheral
  • an MFP that is structured to provide a service cooperatively with an external server (service providing apparatus) connected to a network.
  • Patent Literature 1 discloses an art relating to a service (pull print service) of downloading desired image data from a contents server on the Internet onto an MFP and printing out the downloaded image data on a recording sheet.
  • Patent Literature 3 discloses a recording service system configured to receive jobs, to judge whether a received job is to be executed fully by the recording service system (such as a copy function job) or in cooperation with an external service, to execute (part of) the received job and to charge for the execution of the job; wherein the recording service system stores information for charging for jobs fully executed thereby and receives, as part of a job file, information for charging for the portion of the execution performed by the external service.
  • the present invention is made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an image processing apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, a charging management method according to claim 5, and a recording medium according to claim 6.
  • a piece of first charging information showing a charging condition for use of the image processing apparatus and a piece of second charging information showing a charging condition for execution of the cooperative job are stored. If a job to be executed is the apparatus job, charging for execution of the apparatus job is performed by referring to the piece of first charging information. If a job to be executed is the cooperative job, charging for execution of the cooperative job is performed by referring to the piece of second charging information. Accordingly, if a job to be executed is the cooperative job, it is possible to appropriately perform charging in the same way as a case where a normal job is executed only by the image processing apparatus.
  • the following describes embodiments of an image processing apparatus relating to the present embodiment, using an example where the image processing apparatus is an MFP connectable to a network.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of the structure of the image processing system.
  • the image processing system includes an MFP 10, a service providing server 20, and a client terminal 30 that are each connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 40.
  • MFP Mobility Management Function
  • service providing server 20 a service providing server 20
  • client terminal 30 that are each connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 40.
  • LAN Local Area Network
  • the MFP 10, the service providing server 20, and the client terminal 30 can transmit/receive data among one another via a known network communication program.
  • the MFP 10 performs jobs such as a copy job and a print job in accordance with a user's instruction, and executes various jobs cooperatively with the service providing server 20.
  • the MFP 10 charges a billing amount based on a charging table that has been set beforehand for execution of a job.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the MFP 10.
  • the MFP 10 mainly includes a control unit 110, a scanner unit 120, and a printer unit 130.
  • the scanner unit 120 is a known scanner, and includes an automatic document feeder in the present embodiment.
  • the scanner unit 120 conveys documents placed on a document tray to a document scanning position piece by piece, and scans an image of the document by a CCD sensor or the like to generate image data.
  • the printer unit 130 generates an image on a recording sheet based on the image data generated by the scanner unit 120 or image data relating to a print job received from the client terminal 30.
  • a known digital color printer employing an electrophotographic system is used here, the printer unit 130 is of course not limited to this.
  • the operation panel 140 is provided in a position where the user who is in front of the MFP 10 can easily operate.
  • the operation panel 140 includes hard keys such as a numerical keypad, a start key, and a reset key, and a display unit composed of a liquid crystal panel.
  • the display unit displays a message necessary for the user, and includes touch panels layered on a surface of a screen thereof.
  • the user can input various instructions in the display unit by touching a predetermined part of the screen being displayed (hereinafter, expressed as "press” in the same way as the hard keys).
  • the control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, a communication I/F (interface) unit 112, a RAM 113, a ROM 114, an EEPROM 115, a charging table storage unit 116, and a management table storage unit 117.
  • the CPU 111 performs processing of generating digital image signals of reproduction colors of C, M, Y, and K based on acquired image data.
  • the CPU 111 reads a necessary program from the ROM 114, and collectively controls operations of the compositional units with precise timing such that operations such as a document scanning operation and an image formation operation are smoothly executed. Also, the CPU 111 performs charging control, which is described later.
  • the communication I/F unit 112 is a LAN card or a LAN board for connecting the CPU 111 with the LAN.
  • the communication I/F unit 112 receives data relating to a print job transmitted from the client terminal 30 via the LAN, and transmits the received data to the CPU 111 via the LAN.
  • the RAM 113 is a nonvolatile memory, and functions as a work area of the CPU 111 for program execution.
  • the ROM 114 stores therein programs for controlling the operations of the compositional units included in the MFP 10, programs for performing the later-described charging control, and so on.
  • the EEPROM 115 is a nonvolatile memory, and stores therein data such as type of recording sheets stacked in paper cassettes.
  • the charging table storage unit 116 stores therein an apparatus use charging table 101 as shown in FIG. 3 and a cooperative job charging table 102 as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • a billing amount is described that is to be charged for each paper size and each of full-color and monochrome.
  • the cooperative job charging table 102 is a table showing a charging condition for a job to be executed cooperatively with the service providing server 20 connected with the MFP 10 via the LAN 40.
  • four cooperative jobs are registered in the cooperative job charging table 102. The following gives simple descriptions of the cooperative jobs.
  • a user's selected one among files stored in the service providing server 20 is downloaded onto the MFP 10, and the downloaded file is printed out.
  • a billing amount is charged to the user for use of the MFP 10 for printing (see FIG. 3 ).
  • a billing amount of 50% of the billing amount for the use of the MFP 10 is charged to the user for the downloading of the file from the service providing server 20.
  • image data of a document scanned by the scanner unit 120 of the MFP 10 is transferred to the service providing server 20, and the transferred image data is transmitted to a destination designated by the service providing server 20.
  • the MFP 10 and the service providing server 20 each do not have much heavy workload, and accordingly, no billing amount is charged.
  • image data of a document scanned by the scanner unit 120 of the MFP 10 is transferred to the service providing server 20.
  • the transferred image data is converted into PDF data, and character recognition is performed to create text data of the image data.
  • the created text data is attached to the PDF data as transparent text data, and is transmitted to a desired destination.
  • a character code of an identified text matches in position a character of a PDF corresponding to the character code. Accordingly, it is possible to perform text search as if an image of a character of PDF data were text data.
  • the service providing server 20 charges 100 yen for each job execution without exception.
  • image data of a document scanned by the scanner unit 120 is transmitted to the service providing server 20 together with information relating to the model of the MFP 10.
  • the service providing server 20 converts history information into a barcode, and attaches data of the barcode to the original image data to transmit back to the MFP 10.
  • the history information shows the copy date, the model of the copy machine, and the number of how many copy machines have been used before use of the current copy machine.
  • the original image data and the barcode are printed out on the same paper.
  • the MFP 10 charges a billing amount for print processing based on the charging table shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the service providing server 20 charges 3 yen per piece of paper for creation of barcode data.
  • the charging conditions stored in the cooperative job charging table 102 are defined to refer to the apparatus use charging table 101 as necessary. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a volume of information stored in the cooperative job charging table 102 and reduce the capacity of a memory that is necessary for storing the information. This leads to the cost reduction. Especially, in the case where a charging table is provided for each user in the second embodiment as described later, the number of charging tables increases. This leads to the more effective cost reduction.
  • the cooperative jobs and the charging condition as described above have been registered beforehand in the cooperative job charging table 102 by a manager of the MFP 10.
  • FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b) each show a registration screen for a cooperative job displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 140 of the MFP 10.
  • a registration screen 141 shown in FIG. 5(a) can be displayed by the manager of the MFP 10 inputting a password for management, for example.
  • the manager inputs a job name of a desired job in a cooperative job entry field 1411.
  • This input may be performed via keys of a numerical keypad (not shown) that are respectively associated with alphabets, kana characters, or the like.
  • the input may be performed via a virtual keyboard displayed on the display unit.
  • the input may be performed by the structure in which a recording medium reading apparatus such as an IC card reader is provided in the MFP 10, and the recording medium reading apparatus is caused to read information recorded in a recording medium such as an IC card.
  • IP address of the service providing server 20 is input in an IP address entry field 1412.
  • the screen When a button of a charging condition 1413 is pressed, the screen is switched to a charging condition setup screen 142 as shown in FIG. 5(b) .
  • the manager operates a use charge setup field 1421 and an external server use charge setup field 1422 to designate whether a billing amount needs to be charged for each of use of the MFP 10 and use of an external server. If "YES" is selected with respect to the billing amount for the use of the external server, a charging entry field 1423 becomes active.
  • the user inputs a predetermined billing amount in the charging entry field 1423, and presses an OK button 1424.
  • the screen switches back to the registration screen 141 shown in FIG. 5(a) .
  • the registration button 1414 the screen returns to a default basic setup screen (not shown).
  • the MFP 10 In the case where there is a necessity to install, in the MFP 10, a specific application for executing a cooperative job to be executed cooperatively with the service providing server 20, it may be possible to cause the MFP 10 to access the service providing server 20 or a specific site on the Internet to download a desired driver.
  • the description is given on the assumption that the MFP 10 and the service providing server 20 are connected with the same LAN 40 and are managed by the same manager.
  • the service providing server 20 is on the Internet and is managed by a manager different from a manager of the MFP 10 for example, the charging condition as described above or the like is input based on a contract with the manager of the service providing server 20.
  • Such a cooperative job charging table may be updated or changed by downloading a new cooperative job charging table from a management server (not shown) via the network.
  • the management table storage unit 117 stores therein a user management table 103 necessary for performing charging management.
  • FIG. 6 shows an example of the user management table 103.
  • FIG. 6 shows the user management table 103 showing billing amounts charged in August 2008.
  • a user ID and a password necessary for login a division name of a division to each user belongs to, a budget amount allocated to each division, a cumulative billing amount of August 2008 for each division, and a remaining amount of August 2008 for each division calculated by subtracting the cumulative billing amount from the budget amount.
  • each of the above tables may be stored in an appropriate storage region provided in the EEPROM 115 for example, instead of an exclusive storage unit.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the service providing server 20.
  • the service providing server 20 includes a CPU 201, a communication I/F unit 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk device (HDD) 204, a monitor 210, and an input/output device 220 such as a keyboard and a mouse.
  • the HDD 204 stores therein an OS functioning as a service providing server, an application program of a job to be executed cooperatively with the MFP 10.
  • the service providing server 20 Upon receiving a request for execution of a cooperative job from the MFP 10 via the communication I/F 202, the service providing server 20 starts up an application corresponding to the requested cooperative job, and transmits a response indicating completion of preparation of executing the cooperative job to the MFP 10.
  • the MFP 10 transmits image data that is a processing target to the service providing server 20.
  • the service providing server 20 expands the received image data in the RAM 203, and performs necessary image processing on the expanded image data. Then, the service providing server 20 transmits back the image data on which the processing has been performed to the MFP 10, or converts a file format of the image data as necessary and transfers the image data to a destination designated by the MFP 10.
  • FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing charging control processing performed by the control unit 110 included in the MFP 10.
  • Step S1 login processing is performed in Step S1.
  • the CPU 111 searches whether the user's ID and password are registered in the user management table 103 stored in the management table storage unit 117. If the user's ID and password are registered, the CPU 111 permits the user to log in the MFP 10 (Step S1).
  • Step S2 the CPU 111 reads a remaining amount of a division to which the user belongs, and temporarily stores the read remaining amount in the RAM 113 (Step S2).
  • Step S3 judges whether a job has been received. If judging that the job has been received (Step S3: YES), the CPU 111 further judges whether the received job is a cooperative job (Step S4).
  • the type of the received job can be distinguished based on input of the job.
  • the type of the received job can be distinguished based on control information (command) included in header data of the received job.
  • the control information is set by the user performing a predetermined input on a setup screen for a driver for cooperative job that is installed in the client terminal 30.
  • FIG. 9 to FIG. 13 each show an example of a reception screen for cooperative job that is displayed on the operation panel 140 of the MFP 10.
  • a cooperative job reception screen 143 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 140.
  • a print cooperative service button 1431 is pressed, a file selection screen 144 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.
  • a list of image files is displayed.
  • the image files are stored in the HDD 204 of the service providing server 20.
  • the user scrolls the file selection screen 144 using a scroll button 1441 to select an image file that the user hopes to print out.
  • the user presses a job start button 1442, and as a result data of the selected image file is downloaded from the service providing server 20 to the MFP 10. Then, the image file is printed out.
  • a scanning cooperative service button 1432 is selected on the cooperative job reception screen 143 shown in FIG. 9 , a distribution destination setup screen 145 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.
  • the user presses a distribution destination entry field 1451 for activation, and inputs a mail address of a destination using the numerical keypad or the like.
  • a format selection screen 146 as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed.
  • the user selects a desired format, and presses an OK button 1461.
  • the user places a document that the user hopes to transmit on the document tray of the automatic document feeder, and presses a start button (not shown) of the operation panel 140.
  • a start button (not shown) of the operation panel 140.
  • the document is scanned, and image data of the document is converted into the selected format, and the converted image data is transmitted to the input mail address.
  • searchable PDF is selected on the format selection screen 146 shown in FIG. 12 . Note that, in the case where "Searchable PDF" is selected on the format selection screen 146 shown in FIG. 12 , the searchable PDF creation job as described above is executed.
  • a hard key (not shown) for copy provided in the operation panel 140 is pressed, a copy setup screen 147 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit.
  • a barcode printing button 1471 is pressed and then a start button (not shown) of the hard key is pressed, the barcode printing copy job as described above is executed.
  • Basic software for displaying the setup screen for cooperative job on the operation panel 140 is stored in the EEPROM 115 ( FIG. 2 ), for example.
  • the manager accesses the service providing server 20 or a website of a manufacturer of the MFP 10, and downloads new firmware to update the software.
  • Step S4 if judging that the job received in Step S3 is not a cooperative job (Step S4: NO), that is, if judging that the received job is a normal job executable only by the MFP 10, the flow proceeds to Step S7.
  • the control unit 110 refers to the apparatus use charging table 101 ( FIG. 3 ).
  • Step S4 YES
  • the control unit 110 reads the cooperative job charging table 102 ( FIG. 4 ), and stores the read cooperative job charging table 102 in the RAM 113.
  • the control unit 110 refers to a charging condition with respect to the cooperative job selected by the user (Step S5). If a charging condition with respect to execution of the cooperative job shows that it is necessary to charge an apparatus use billing amount (Step S6: YES), the control unit 110 further reads the apparatus use charging table 101 (Step S7).
  • Step S6 NO
  • the cooperative job charging table 102 is used.
  • Step S8 the control unit 110 starts executing the selected job. While executing the job, the control unit 110 refers to a charging table that has been read depending on whether the job is a cooperative job to calculate a billing amount, and subtracts the billing amount from the remaining amount acquired in the Step S2 to calculate a new remaining amount (Step S9). If judging continuation of the job will result in shortage of the remaining amount (Step S10: YES), the control unit 110 prohibits execution of the job (Step S12), and displays a message showing the prohibition on the display unit of the operation panel 140 (Step S13).
  • control unit 110 updates values respectively stored in a cumulative billing amount field and a remaining amount field of a division to which the user belongs in the user management table 103 with a billing amount and a remaining amount at the time of the prohibition of the job (Step S14).
  • Step S10 if judging that continuation of the job will not result in shortage of the remaining amount (Step S10: NO), the control unit 110 continues executing the job.
  • Step S11: YES the control unit 110 updates the values respectively stored in the cumulative billing amount field and the remaining amount field of the division to which the user belongs in the user management table 103 with a billing amount and a remaining amount at the time of the completion of the job (Step S14). Then, the flow returns to a main flow chart (not shown) for controlling the whole operations of the MFP 10.
  • the apparatus use charging table 101 and the cooperative job charging table 102 are provided in the MFP 10, a charging table that needs to be referred to is selected based on a type of a received job so as to perform charging. This enables the MFP 10 to uniformly perform accurate charging management irrespective of whether the received job is a cooperative job or a normal job.
  • the charging management is performed by the MFP 10.
  • a charging management server connected to the MFP 10 via the network is separately provided, and the charging table and charging results are managed by the charging management server.
  • FIG. 14 shows the structure of an image processing system relating to the present embodiment.
  • a charging management server 50 is included and is connected to a LAN 40.
  • FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the structure of the charging management server 50.
  • the charging management server 50 includes a general purpose computer to which an OS for a server and charging management software have been installed.
  • the general purpose computer includes a CPU 501, a communication I/F unit 502, a RAM 503, a monitor 510, an input/output device 520, and a hard disk storage device (HDD) 530.
  • HDD hard disk storage device
  • the HDD 530 includes therewithin a charging table storage unit 531, a management table storage unit 532, and a use restriction information storage unit 533.
  • the charging table storage unit 531 stores therein tables provided for each user ID, which are respectively similar to the apparatus use charging table 101 ( FIG. 3 ) and the cooperative job charging table 102 ( FIG. 4 ) stored in the charging table storage unit 116 ( FIG. 2 ) of the MFP 10 relating to the first embodiment.
  • a charging table for each user ID in this way, it is possible to perform charging in accordance with a user's position. For example, in the case where the charging management system is used in a university, different charging processing can be performed on a professor, an associate professor, or the like and students in a laboratory.
  • the charging table may be provided not for each user but for each group to which the user belongs to.
  • the charging table may be provided not for each user but for each group to which the user belongs to.
  • the management table storage unit 532 stores therein a table similar to the user management table 103 shown in FIG. 6 .
  • the use restriction information storage unit 533 stores therein a use restriction information table 104 as shown in FIG. 16 that includes a use restriction function for each user ID.
  • the use restriction information storage unit 533 is used for restricting execution of an executable job for each user ID.
  • a user having a user ID 0011 is not restricted with respect to execution of any job, a user having a user ID 0012 is prohibited from executing a color copy job whose billing amount is high.
  • this use restriction information may be set not for each user but for each group to which the user belongs.
  • control unit 110 of the MFP 10 relating to the present embodiment does not include the charging table storage unit 116 and the management table storage unit 117.
  • charging control performed by the MFP 10 is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 8 .
  • the charging table and the user management table are included in the charging management server 50.
  • use restriction information is acquired and job execution is prohibited based on the acquired use restriction information. Accordingly, processing of Steps S1 to S3 of FIG. 8 is replaced with processing of Steps S101 to S106 of FIG. 17 .
  • control unit 110 performs login processing in Step S101, and acquires balance information, charging table, and use restriction information relating to a user who logs in (hereinafter, these three pieces of information is collectively referred to as "user information") (Step S102).
  • These processing is performed by communication between the MFP 10 and the charging management server 50.
  • FIG. 18 is a sequence showing communication performed between the MFP 10 and the charging management server 50 in the above processing.
  • control unit 110 Firstly, upon receiving a user ID and a password from the user via the operation panel 140, the control unit 110 transmits the received ID and password to the charging management server 50 via the LAN 40 to request for permission of login.
  • the CPU 501 of the charging management server 50 searches the user management table stored in the management table storage unit 532, and confirms that the received ID and password are registered in the user management table. Then, the charging management server 50 authenticates the user, and transmits notification of login permission to the MFP 10.
  • the MFP 10 Upon receiving the notification, the MFP 10 requests the charging management server 50 for user information relating to the user who is logging in.
  • the charging management server 50 reads a charging table, balance information, and use restriction information that each relate to the user ID respectively from the charging table storage unit 531, the management table storage unit 532, and the use restriction information storage unit 533. Then, the charging management server 50 transmits the read charging table, balance information, and use restriction information to the MFP 10 as user information.
  • the MFP 10 Upon receiving the user information, the MFP 10 stores the user information in the RAM 113 of the control unit 110 (acquisition of user information: Step S102 in FIG. 17 ).
  • Step S103 judges whether a job has been received. If judging that the job has been received (Step S103: YES), the MFP 10 refers to the use restriction information table 104 included in the acquired user information to judge whether the user is prohibited from executing the received job (Step S104).
  • Step S104 NO
  • the flow proceeds to Step S4 in FIG. 8 .
  • the MFP 10 judges whether the received job is a cooperative job, and performs charging control similar to that shown in Steps S5 to S13.
  • the MFP 10 since the user management table is updated by the charging management server 50, the MFP 10 performs "charging result notification processing" instead of the "user management table update processing" in Step S14 of FIG. 8 .
  • the MFP 10 performs processing of notifying the charging management server 50 of a charging result of execution of the job together with a user ID of the user.
  • the charging management server 50 updates a cumulative billing amount and a remaining amount of a division to which the user belongs in the user management table.
  • Step S104 if judging that the user is prohibited from executing the job (Step S104: YES), the MFP 10 prohibits the user from executing the job (Step S105), and displays the prohibition on the display unit of the operation panel 140 (Step S106), and ends the charging control processing, and then returns to the main flow chart.
  • the charging management server 50 it is possible to perform charging control in the charging management server 50 that is provided separately from the MFP 10. This enables placement of the charging management server 50 near the manager of the MFP 10, thereby facilitating the check of state of charging management.
  • the number of MFPs 10 included in the image processing system is only one.
  • a plurality of MFPs can be collectively managed by the charging management server 50. This enables more efficient charging management.
  • the piece of second charging information may show whether charging for use of the image processing apparatus is required for charging for the execution of the cooperative job and an amount charged for use of the service providing apparatus, and if the charging for use of the image processing apparatus is required, the second charging part may perform the charging for the execution of the cooperative job by further referring to the piece of first charging information.
  • the piece of second charging information shows whether charging for use of the image processing apparatus is required. If charging for use of the image processing apparatus is required, the piece of first charging information is referred to. In this case, the volume of the piece of second charging information is reduced by the volume of the piece of first charging information referred to. This can reduce the memory capacity necessary for storing the piece of second charging information, and the cost reduction is realized.
  • the piece of second charging information may define an amount charged for use of the service providing apparatus as a predetermined ratio of an amount charged for use of the image processing apparatus, and the second charging part may perform the charging for the execution of the cooperative job by further referring to the piece of first charging information.
  • the second charging part charges for execution of the second job by further referring to the piece of first charging information,
  • the volume of the piece of second charging information is reduced by the volume of the piece of first charging information referred to, and as a result the cost reduction is realized.
  • the piece of second charging information may define an amount charged for use of the service providing apparatus as a predetermined amount irrespective of the piece of first charging information.
  • the piece of second charging information simply defines a uniform billing amount to be charged. This reduces the volume of the piece of second charging information, and as a result the cost reduction is realized.
  • the image processing apparatus may further comprise an identification information receiver operable to receive a piece of identification information identifying a user that is either one of a person and a group, wherein the charging information storage may store therein pieces of first charging information and pieces of second charging information that are in one-to-one correspondence with users, respectively, and with respect to the user identified by the received piece of identification information, the first charging part may perform charging by referring to one of the pieces of first charging information corresponding to the user, and the second charging part may perform charging by referring to one of the pieces of second charging information corresponding to the user.
  • an identification information receiver operable to receive a piece of identification information identifying a user that is either one of a person and a group
  • the charging information storage may store therein pieces of first charging information and pieces of second charging information that are in one-to-one correspondence with users, respectively, and with respect to the user identified by the received piece of identification information
  • the first charging part may perform charging by referring to one of the pieces of first charging information corresponding to the user
  • the second charging part
  • a charging management system relating to another one aspect of the present invention is a charging management system that includes an image processing apparatus and a charging management server that are connected with each other via a network, the charging management server managing an amount charged for a job executed by the image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus comprises: a job receiver operable to receive a job; a judgment part operable to judge whether the received job is an apparatus job or a cooperative job, the apparatus job being to be executed only by the image processing apparatus, the cooperative job being to be executed by the image processing apparatus cooperatively with the service providing apparatus; an acquisition part operable to acquire, from the charging management server, a piece of first charging information showing a charging condition for use of the image processing apparatus and a piece of second charging information showing a charging condition for execution of the cooperative job; a job execution part operable to, based on the judgment performed by the judgment part, execute the apparatus job or part of the cooperative job; a first charging part operable to charge for execution of the apparatus job by referring to the piece of first charging information; a second charging
  • Such a system structure also can achieve the same effect as described above. Furthermore, it is possible to collectively manage the charging status of a plurality of image processing apparatuses using a single charging management server. This is greatly useful.
  • a charging management system relating to another one aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus that is included in a charging management system that manages an amount charged for a job executed by the image processing apparatus, the charging management system further including a charging management server connected with the image processing apparatus via a network, wherein the image processing apparatus comprises: a job receiver operable to receive a job; a judgment part operable to judge whether the received job is an apparatus job or a cooperative job, the apparatus job being to be executed only by the image processing apparatus, the cooperative job being to be executed by the image processing apparatus cooperatively with the service providing apparatus; an acquisition part operable to acquire, from the charging management server, a piece of first charging information showing a charging condition for use of the image processing apparatus and a piece of second charging information showing a charging condition for execution of the cooperative job; a job execution part operable to, based on the judgment performed by the judgment part, execute the apparatus job or part of the cooperative job; a first charging part operable to charge for execution of the apparatus job by referring to the piece of first charging information
  • a charging management method relating to another one aspect of the present invention, a charging management method that is to be executed by an image processing apparatus capable of executing a cooperative job that is to be executed cooperatively with a service providing apparatus connected thereto via a network
  • the image processing apparatus comprises an acquisition part operable to acquire a piece of first charging information showing a charging condition for use of the image processing apparatus and a piece of second charging information showing a charging condition for execution of the cooperative job
  • the charging management method comprises: a job receiving step of receiving a job; a judging step of judging whether the received job is an apparatus job or the cooperative job, the apparatus job being to be executed only by the image processing apparatus; a job executing step of, based on the judgment performed in the judging step, executing the apparatus job or part of the cooperative job; a charging step of, (i) if the received job is judged to the apparatus job, performing first charging for execution of the apparatus job by referring to the piece of first charging information, and (ii) if the received job is judged
  • a recording medium relating to another one aspect of the present invention may be a recording medium having recorded therein a charging management program to be executed by a computer of the image processing apparatus.
  • the present invention is preferable for performing charging management in an image processing apparatus that is capable of executing a job cooperatively with an external service providing server.

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EP09814213.6A 2008-09-19 2009-08-11 Image processing apparatus, billing management system, billing management method, and recording medium Active EP2340943B1 (en)

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JP2008241035A JP4488101B2 (ja) 2008-09-19 2008-09-19 画像処理装置、課金管理システム、課金管理方法並びに記録媒体
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JP4488101B2 (ja) 2010-06-23
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US8810834B2 (en) 2014-08-19
EP2340943A1 (en) 2011-07-06
EP2340943A4 (en) 2014-01-22

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